Duterte signs law postponing SK, barangay polls – PCO

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law postponing the barangay and Sangguniuang Kabataan elections to next year, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said on Tuesday.

Banaag could not say, though, when Duterte signed the law; it could either be before he left for his state visit to Brunei on Sunday or when he arrived in Brunei. She added Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has yet to receive the signed law.

The elections were initially scheduled for October 31. These will be moved to October 23, 2017.

Duterte earlier said he fears "drug money will seep into the electoral protest," adding that postponing the elections will prevent this form happening.

The President also cited the cost of holding the polls.

"You have to spend billions. Di itulong ko na lang 'yan sa mga rehab [I'd rather use the money to put up drug rehabilitation centers]," he said last August.